Rangers Vs. Blues: Mats Zuccarello Is A Game-Time Decision Tonight
After missing the morning skate today, Alain Vigneault labeled Mats Zuccarello as a game-time decision.
As if their lineup wasn't already up in arms, the New York Rangers may be without another important piece to the puzzle tonight against the St. Louis Blues. Mats Zuccarello was absent from the Rangers morning skate earlier today, as he was receiving treatment for an unknown type of injury. According to Alain Vigneault though, Zuccarello was labeled as a game-time decision, and we won't find out about his status until warm ups kick off at 6:30 PM.
#NYR head coach Alain Vigneault says Mats Zuccarello is receiving treatment and is a game-time decision.
— Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) November 3, 2014 Zuccarello appeared to injure his leg late in the game against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, and hobbled off the ice on a few different occasions. In the event that Zuccarello can't go tonight, the Rangers will have two options in order to fill his spot within the lineup. If Ryan Malone goes unclaimed on waivers at noon, he could potentially slot into the Rangers lineup, or they could recall a forward on from Hartford prior to puck drop. All of this hinges on whether Malone finds a new team at noon, so we will have to wait and find out.
Vigneault also said that if Malone is claimed, and Zuccarello can't play, they have the cap space to get someone up from Hartford in time.
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) November 3, 2014 This news only adds onto the pile of injuries that the Rangers have been faced with, as they will also be without Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein tonight as well. Things could get pretty ugly for the Rangers over the next several weeks, but if they can stay above the water for the time being, they'll be just fine when players start returning.
Thoughts?
